Apparatus for trimming and sorting switch ties



T. 6. ROGERS 2,938,552 APPARATUS FOR TRIMMING AND SORTING SWITCH TIESMay 31, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed March 22, 1957 INVENTORZia/1M5 Q 25 0 :22.

ATTORNEY APPARATUS FOR TRIMMING AND SORTING SWITCH TIES Original FiledMarch 22, 1957 T. G. ROGERS May 31, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 ZNVENTOR.ZZOMAS 2. 06526 ATTORNEY s R? QN \N 3 :3 3% Q Q X R R R 5 w w m w m m Mv q Hi I v ww swmfiw @N @N T. G. ROGERS 2,938,552

APPARATUS FOR TRIMMING AND sommc swnca ms May 31, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 3Original Filed March 22, 1957 Q QPN INVENTOR 770mb GEOg-EES ATTORNEYAPPARATUS FOR TRIMMING AND SORTING SWITCH TIES Original Filed March 22,1957 T. G. ROGERS May 31, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 v\ GE INVENTOR YZOMQS 50255 BY M v M ATTORNEY y 1960 T. G. ROGERS 2,938,552

APPARATUS FOR TRIMMING AND SORTING SWITCH TIES Original Filed March 22,1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 *6 & 3

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I NVE NT( )R 720m 65 0 5235 ATTORNEY "r. G. ROGERS 2,938,552

APPARATUS FOR TRIMMING AND SORTING SWITCH TIES May 31, 1960 6Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed March 22, 1957 ATTORNEY United StatesPatent APPARATUS FOR TRIMMING AND SORTING SWITCH TIES Thomas G. Rogers,Chattanooga, Tenn., assignor to Southern Wood Preserving Company,Atlanta, Ga., a corporation of Georgia Original application Mar. 22,1957, Ser. No. 647,893,

now Patent No. 2,876,815, dated Mar. 10, 1959. Divided and thisapplication Apr. 16, 1958, Ser. No. 728,879

Claims. (Cl. 144-3) This invention relates to the handling of switchties in wood preserving plants and has more particular reference toapparatus for trimming switch ties to required lengths and thenautomatically sorting the trimmed ties into length groups.

One object of the present invention is to provide novel apparatus fortrimming green switch ties to obtain the longest desired length possiblefrom the green material and automatically sorting the trimmed ties intolength groups for transportation to the seasoning yard.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel system fortrimming green switch ties to required lengths and then automaticallysorting the trimmed ties into length groups, in which each green switchtie is automatically loaded onto conveyor means and conveyed past amarking station where a marking device marks the tie, then past atrimming station where both ends of the tie are cut oil, and thenthrough a series of unloading stations where each tie is ejected fromone of the stations automatically, the ejecting operation beingdetermined by the length of the tie, so that all trimmed ties of thesame length group will be ejected at the same unloading station.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system, ascharacterized above, including counter means operated by the ties afterthey have been trimmed for determining the total number of ties trimmedas well as the total number of ties of each length which have passedthrough the system.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in thespecification, when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a plan view, with parts broken away, of one embodiment ofapparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention, and thearrangement thereof for carrying out the operation of the system;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. l,and showing details of the delivery conveyor and the receiving end ofthe conveyor for transporting the ties past the marking device;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2, andshowing details of construction of the delivery conveyor;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the marking device;

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross sectional view, taken on the line 5-5 of Fig.4;

Figs. 6 and 7 are vertical sectional views showing the details of amarker element;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 1,showing details of the saw mechanism;

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the line 1010 of Fig. 1,and showing details of the construction of the trimming conveyor;

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of Fig. 10;

2,938,552 Patented May 31 1 960 Fig. 12 is an enlarged verticalsectional view showing the details of the limit switch shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 13-13 of Fig. ,1,and showing the details of an unloading station;

Fig. 14 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a wiring diagram showing the vmanner in which limit switchescontrol the operation of the delivery conveyor;

Fig. 16 is a wiring diagram showing the manner in which limit switchescontrol the operation of the marking device;

Fig. 17 is a wiring diagram showing the connection of the electricalcounter devices to'the counter recorders;

Fig. 18 is a wiring diagram showing the manner in which limit switchescontrol the operation of the unloading mechanism at an unloadingstation; and

Fig. 19 is a modified form of wiring diagram generally similar to thatshown in Fig. 18, but showing a modified manner of operating theunloading mechanisms.

This application is a division of my copending applica tion Ser. No.647,893, filed March 22, 1957, for Method of and Apparatus for Trimmingand Sorting Switch Ties, issued March 10, 1959, as Patent No. 2,876,815.

Heretofore, in the process of trimming green switch ties into variousrequired lengths and sorting the trimmed ties into length groups forsubsequent transportation to the seasoning yard, the green ties, whichare of various lengths, were placed on a conveyor and moved to a sawingstation where the front end was trimmed, the tie was measured, and thepoint for trimming the rear end so that the longest possible desiredlength could be obtained, was marked, the rear end was cut at the mark,then the same operator marked the length of the tie on its upper surfaceand moved it to a conveyor which carried the tie past loading stations,at one of which the tie was manually unloaded according to the markingshowing its length. This process required the use of a large number ofmen to carry it out.

The present invention provides a novel system for loading the green tiesonto a conveyor which carries the ties past a marking machine positionedat a predetermined distance from the trimming saw. The saw operatortrims the forward end of the tie, at which time the marking deviceautomatically is operated to mark the rear end of the tie by placing onits upper surface, markings spaced a predetermined distance apart sothat when the tie is moved to have its rear end trimmed, the sawoperator cuts along the last marking, thus cutting the tie to one of apredetermined length, at the same time obtaining the longest possibledesired length from the tie. Then the trimmed tie is passed onto a liveconveyor which has a plurality of longitudinally spaced unloadingstations thereon, each unloading station being equipped with mechanismfor automatically unloading ties of one predetermined length group onone side of the conveyor and ties of another predetermined length groupon the other side of the conveyor, the unloaded ties slide down inclinedramps from which they are picked up and transported to the seasoningyard where they are formed in seasoning ricks. Counting mechanisms arepositionedon the conveyor and at each unloading station, which operate aregister at the control station (saw station) so that the number of tiesof each length produced will be separately registered as well as thetotal number of ties which pass through the apparatus.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated, in Fig. I, oneembodiment of apparatus constructed in accordance with the presentinvention. As there shown, the apparatus comprises three longitudinallyaligned elongated power driven conveyors each adapted to convey theties-longitudinally or endwise thereon, a first or marking conveyorhaving a marking device, indicated generally at 11, mounted adjacentthereto for marking the ties as they pass along the conveyor; a secondor trimming conveyor 12 having a swinging. saw assembly; indicatedgenerally at 13, mounted adjacent thereto for trimming the ends of theties; a third or sorting conveyor 14having a plurality of longitudinallyspaced unloading stations, each indicated generallyat 15, positionedtherealong; and a delivery conveyor, indicated generally at 16,positioned to deliver the greenswitch ties, one at a time, onto, the'rmarking'conveyor 10. a Y

" 'While the conveyors 10,-12and'14' may be'ofany suitable usual power.dn'ven type, the particular embodiment of theinventioii' illustrated,they are. generally similar in construction and, asshow'n in Figs. 1, 2,4 and 10, each comprises a spaced parallel pair of beams 17;' aplurality of longitudinally spaced transverse rollers 18 having theiraxles journalled in'or' on the beams 17,

with one end of the axles ofall, of the rollers projecting beyond a beam17 andca'rrying a pair of sprocket wheels ,19, 20; chains 21 alternatelyconnecting the outer sprocket wheels on each adjacent pair of rollers;and a motor 22 connected by a chain 23 to? drive the rollers. Suitableguard rails may be mounted on the upper surfaces of the beams 17 at'anypoint, if desired, for guiding the ties as they move along. theconveyor. 7

The conveyors 10, 12 and 14 aremounted in longitudinal alignment onsuitable supporting frames, indicated generallyat 24.

The marking device 11, as shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7, comprises anelongated shaft 25 journale'd in a plurality of spaced upright bearingmembers 26 fixedly mounted on the outer beam 17 of the marking conveyor;a plurality ,of axially spaced holder arms 27 pivotally mounted 7 on theshaft '25 for individual swinging movement thereon; a' plurality ofretaining and guide loops 28 fixedly ,mounted on the shaft 25 in axiallyspaced relation and with each loop having one .of the holder arms 27projectiug therethrough; a plurality of marker members 29, each attachedto the outer end of one of the holder arms 27 ;.a Ilaterally projectingoperating arm 30 fixedly attached to the shaft '25; a double actingcompressed air cylinder 31 having a piston 32 projecting from one endand pivotally connected to the free end of the operatingarm 30 forrotating the shaft 25; and a solenoid operated valve 33 for controllingthe flow of compressed air to and from the cylinder 31. i

' The marker members 29 are identical in construction, and-as showninFigs. 6 and 17, each comprises an elonjgated open-ended cylinder 34having'a removable cover 35 on. its upper end; a small open-endedcylinder 36 having its uppere'nd detachably attached to the cylinder 34and having a seat 37 formed in its bottom open end; a ball 38 normallyand resiliently held in position on the seat 37 by an elongated coilspring 39 mounted in the two cylinders. The cylinders 34and 36 arefilled with afmarkingfluid and whenever the shaft 25 is rotated to"bring the bottom end of the marking members down on the upper surfaceofa tie, each of the marking members will make a mark thereon.

The foregoing construction permits each marker to make a mark ontheupper surface of a tie regardless of the unevenness. of the uppersurface.

The marking'members 29 are spaced a predetermined distance apart,preferably six inches, and the marking member adjacent the. sawingstation is spaced a predeltermined distance, preferably nine'feet, fromthe transverse path followed by the saw as it is. swung forwardly to thetie; This arrangement permits the longest desired tie possible to be cutfrom the'green tie, as the saw operator, after trimming the front end ofthe tie, then trims-the after end at the last mark thereon, so that allaftermost mark from the transverse path of travel of the swinging saw.By removing marker members 29 from their holder arms 27, it is very easyto discontinue marking or cutting lengths that are not desired.

The solenoid operatedvalve33, which controls the flow of compressed airto and from the double-acting cylinder 31, may be any suitable solenoidoperated valve of the general type shown in U.S. Patent No. 2,616,449,grantedNovember 4, 1952, to Maha, in which a pilot valve is operated bytwo small solenoids, each controlled by an independent electricalcircuit, to control the movements of a master valve which, in turn,controls the flow of the compressed air to and from the apparatus to beoperated thereby. Preferably, and in the particular embodiment of theinvention illustrated, the solenoid operated valve 33 is a solenoidPilot-Master valve manufactured by the Hannifin Corporation of DesPlaines, Illinois, and listed in its Bulletin 232 of March 1953, as aP-M Series BB-4-75 Solenoid MasterPilot Valve.

As schematically illustrated in Fig. '5, the, valve 33 is shownascomprising a valve house 40 in which is mounted a 4-way poppet-typemastervalve; a solenoid pilot head 41 in which is mounted a small 3-waypoppettype valve; and apair of covermembers 42, 43. mounted on the valvebody on opposite sides of the pilot head and in each of which is mounteda solenoid for operating the 3-way poppet type valve, to control the4-way master valve. When the solenoid mounted in cover member 42 and forpurposes of description called the down solenoid, is energized the valve33 iwill beoperated to admit air through conduit 44 to the bottom end ofthe cylinder 31 and exhaust air from the top end of the cylinder throughconduit 45, thereby causing the cylinder to rotate the shaft 25. so asto swing the markers from their up .or inoperative position to a fdownor operative position.

And when the solenoid mounted in the cover member 43,

and for purposes of, description called the up solenoid, is energized,the valve 33 will be operated to admit air to the top of the cylinder 31and exhaust air from the bottom thereof, through the conduits 45 and 44,respectively, thereby causing the cylinder to rotate the shaft 25 so asto swing the markers from their ,down or operative position to their upor inoperative position. Air is admitted to and exhausted-from the valvebody 40 by be of any usual suitable type and, as shown, comprises arotary saw 48 having its shaft 49'journaled inthe lower end of adepending swingablecarriage 50having its. upper end joumaled in asuitable supporting .frame, indicated generally at 51. The saw is drivenby a belt'52 connecting a pulley -53 fixedlylmounted on the saw shaftto-a pulley 54 fixedly-mounted on the armature shaft of a motor which ismounted on a platform carried by the upper end of the swinging carriage50.

The saw normally held in a non-cutting position at one side of theconveyor andthe operator pulls the saw forwardly across the path oftravel of the tie .to trim the ends thereof by grasping a handle 56'mounted on the saw carriage. A guard 57 may beprovided for the saw ifdesired.

The saw operator controls the operation-of the marking .conveyor and thetrimming conveyor by means of control switches 58, 59 connected to themotors, 22 which drive'the respective conveyors- The switches 58 and 59are mounted onthe inner beam 17 of the trimming conveyor (see Fig. l)readily'accessible to the saw operator, and by means of these controlswitches, the'saw' operator can move ties backward'and forwardon the twoconveyors and from one conveyor to the other, or stop one or bothconveyors, thus enabling him to :readily'p'osition a tie for trimming.

The operation of the marking device 11 is automatic and is controlled bythe operation of the swinging saw by means of a double-throw limitswitch 60 connected in the circuits to the up and down solenoids of thesolenoid operated valve 33 and by means of a single pole limit switch 61connected in the circuit to the down solenoid of the solenoid operatedvalve 33.

The limit switch 60, which may be of any usual suitable double-pole typeis mounted on the supporting frame 51 of the swinging saw assembly in aposition so that its actuating arm 62 will be engaged by the swingablecarriage of the saw assembly each time the saw is swung forwardly totrim the end of a tie and operate the doublepole limit switch to openthe circuit to the hp solenoid and close the circuit to the downsolenoid, the switch normally being resiliently held in a position toclose the circuit to the up solenoid and open the circuit to downsolenoid. See Fig. 16.

The limit switch 61 (see Figs. to 12 and 16), which may be of any usualsuitable single-pole type, is mounted on the trimming conveyor below thetop level of the conveyor rollers and at a point intermediate theswinging saw and the receiving end of the conveyor. The switch isnormally resiliently held in open position and has an upstandingoperating arm 63 positioned to be engaged by an actuator 64 in the formof a rectangular plate 65 having one end fixedly secured to a shaft 66extending transversely of the conveyor and having its ends journaled inthe structural members 17 thereof. The shaft 66 is positioned below thetops of the conveyor rollers and the plate 65 is normally held in an upposition in which its free end is raised above the tops of the conveyorrollers by means of a counterweight 67 rigidly connected to the plateand normally resting on a rod 68 extending between the structuralmembers 17. The construction and arrangement is such that, as a tie isreceived on the trimming conveyor and moved toward the saw it willengage the plate 65 and depress it, thereby moving the operating arm 63of the limit switch 61 downwardly to close the switch, thus closing thecircuit to the down solenoid of solenoid operated valve 33.

The electrical circuits which permit the control of the solenoidoperated valve 33 by limit switches 60 and 61 are diagrammaticallyillustrated in Fig. 16. As there shown, the circuit for operating thedown solenoid of the valve 33 may be traced from the 110 volt supplyline S through wire 69 to the down solenoid and from the down solenoidthrough wire 70 to limit switch 61 and from limit switch 61 through wire71 to contact 72 of double-pole limit switch 60 and from contact 73 ofswitch 69 through wire 7 back to supply line S.

The circuit for operating the up solenoid of valve 33 may be traced fromsupply line S through wire 75 to the up solenoid and from the upsolenoid through wire 76 to contact 77 of double-pole limit switch 60,and from contact 78 of switch 60 through wire 79 back to supply line S.

From the foregoing, the manner in which the operation of the marker iscontrolled by the operation of the saw is believed apparent. Limitswitch 60 is normally resiliently maintained in position to open thecircuit to the down solenoid and to close the circuit to the upsolenoid, thereby positively holding the markers in their up orinoperative position; limit switch 61 is normally resiliently maintainedin position to open the circuit to the down solenoid. Accordingly, eachtime the for ward end of a tie is moved from the marking conveyor ontothe trimming conveyor in position to have its forward end trimmed, thetie will rest on the plate 65 of actuator 64, thereby causing limitswitch 61 to close the circuit to the down solenoid so that when the sawis swung forwardly to trim the forw'ardend of the tie,

the down solenoid of valve 33 will be energized and the up solenoiddeenergized and the markers will be moved down to make their marks onthe after end portion of the tie. When the saw is moved rearwardly aftermaking its cut, the limit switch 6% will be resiliently operated to openthe circuit to the down solenoid and close the circuit to the upsolenoid, thereby causing the markers 'to be raised to their up orinoperative position. After the forward end of the tie has been trimmed,it is moved forward on the trimming conveyor to bring its after end inposition to be trimmed at the last mark thereon. When the tie is in thisposition it will no longer be resting on the plate 65 of the actuator 64so that the limit switch 61 will be resiliently operated to open thecircuit to the 'down solenoid, so that when the saw is swung forward totrim the after end of the tie, thereby operating the limit switch 60 toclose the circuit to the down solenoid, the markers will not be operatedbut Will remain in their up or inoperative position.

While the single pole limit switch 61 and its actuator 64 have beendescribed and shown as being mounted on the trimming conveyor at a pointintermediate the swinging saw and the receiving end of the conveyor andnormally resiliently held in open position, obviously, the limit switchand its actuator could be positioned on the conveyor a short distancebeyond the swinging saw in the normal direction of travel of the ties onthe trimming conveyor and, when so positioned, would normally beresiliently maintained in a closed position, being opened when itsactuator was depressed by engagement with a tie while in position tohave its after end trimmed.

After each tie has had its forward and after ends trimmed it is movedfrom the trimming conveyor 12 onto the sorting conveyor 14. The sortingconveyor, on which are located the unloading stations 15, runscontinuously, while the system is in operation; however, a controlswitch 80 connected in the circuit to the motor which runs the sortingconveyor, is mounted adjacent the control switches 58 and 59 for themarking and trimming conveyors, for operation by the saw operator (seeFig. 1).

Any number of unloading stations 15 may be located on the sortingconveyor, the number depending upon the number of different lengthgroups of ties to be sorted. At each unloading station two diiferentlength groups of ties are unloaded, one length group of ties on one sideof the conveyor, another length group of ties on the other side of theconveyor.

All of the unloading stations are generally similar in construction and,as shown in Figs. 13 and 14, each station includes a pair of kick-ofidevices 81, 81; a pair of compressed air cylinders 82, 82 for operatingthe kick-01f devices 81, 81', respectively; a pair of solenoid operatedvalvm 83, '83, for controlling the flow of compressed air to and fromthe cylinders 82, 82, respectively; a pair of ramps 84, 84', inclineddownwardly and outwardly from opposite sides of the conveyor to receivethe ties kicked off by the kick-off devices 81, 81', respectively; and apair of counter devices 85, 35' mounted on the ramps 84, 84',respectively, in position to be operated by a tie as it slides down theramp, for counting the total number of ties passing down the ramp.

The kick-01f device 81 comprises a shaft 86 jounaled in bracket bearings87 fixedly attached to the outer beam 17 of the sorting conveyor; anaxially spaced pair of kick-off arms 88, 8S, fixedly secured to theshaft 86 and projecting inwardly therefrom; and a depending operatingarm 89 fixedly secured to the shaft 86. The shaft 86 is positioned belowthe rollers of the sorting conveyor with the kick-off arms 88, 88extending transversely of the conveyor between the rollers and normallyheld in an inoperative position below the tops of the rollers of theconveyor. The compressed air cylinder 82 may be of any usual doubleacting type and has a piston stem 90 projecting from one end, which ispivotally connected to the 7 operating arm 89 for rotating the shaft 86.Air conduits 91, 92 connect the respective ends of the cylinder 82 tothe solenoid'operated valve 83. i

' The solenoid operated valve 83 is similar to'the solenoid operatedvalve 33 employed to operate the marking device, and operates in asimilar manner. Compressed air is supplied to the valve by' means of abranch conduit 93 connected to a suitable compressed air header whichextends thelength of the sorting conveyor.

The kick-off device 81' is similar in construction to kick-oft device81; its shaft 86' is journaled in bracket bearings '87? fixedly attachedto the beam 17 of the conveyor opposite the beam onwhich the kick-Edevice 81 is mounted and its kick-off arms 88, 88' project inwardlytherefrom. The shaft 86' is positioned below the rollers of the conveyorwith the kick-oif arms 88', 88 extending transversely of the conveyorbetween the rollers and normally held in aninoperative position belowthe tops of the rollers. The compressed air cylinder 82' is similar tocylinder 82 and has a piston stem 90' projecting from one end,pivotallyconnected to the operating arm 89' for rotating the shaft 86.

Air conduits 91, 92' connect the respective ends of the cylinder 82 tosolenoid operated valve 83'. Solenoid operated valve 83 is similar tovalve 83 and operates in a similar manner. Compressed air is supplied tovalve 83 by means of branch conduit 93.

The counter devices 85, 85' may be of any suitable usual construction;each is electrically connected to opcrate a register device R mounted ona common support panel P for all the register devices, which isconveniently located at the saw station (see Fig. 1). a

In addition to the counter devices 85, 85' at each unloading station, acounter device 85" is mounted on the sorting conveyor adjacent itsreceiving end and is electrically connected to operate a register Rmounted on the common support panel P so that the total number oftrimmed ties will be recorded. The wiring connections between thecounter devices and their respective recorders are schematicallyillustrated in Fig. 17.

The operation of the kick-ofi devices 81, 81' .at each station isautomatic and is controlled by the particular length of each tie as itis received on the station by means of four limit switches 94, 95, 96and 97, connected in the circuits to the up and down solenoids of thesolenoid operated valves 83, 83' which control the operation of thekick-ofi devices.

The limit switches 94, 95, 96 and 97, schematically shown in Fig. 18,may be of any-suitableusual type and are mounted on the sorting conveyorbelow the top level of the conveyor rollers and are longitudinallyspaced at predetermined distances from each other and with theirrespective upstanding operating arms 98, 99, 100 and 101 positioned tobe engaged by actuators 102, 103, .104 and 105, respectively. Theactuators 102, 103, 104 and 105 are similar, in construction to theactuator 64 which operates limitswitch 61 employed to control the,operation of the marking device, and are mounted on the conveyor in asimilar manner so' that each actuator will be successively engaged andoperated by each tie passing through the unloading station. As shown inFig. 14, actuator 103, which operates the limit switch 95 is positionedintermediate the ends of the ramps 84, 84', actuator 102 which operateslimit switch 94 is positioned to the left of the two ramps, as viewedinFig. 14, and actuators'104 and 105 are positioned to the right of thetwo ramps, as viewed in Fig. 14. Actuators 104 and 105 arelongitudinally spacedpredetermined distances from actuator 102, thedistances beingdetermined by the two length groups of ties to be kickedofi at the station.

Limit switch 94 is a single pole switch normally held in closedjpositionby resilient means and is connected in the circuit to the up solenoidsof solenoid operated valvesp83, 83'. I I Limit switch a is. ';(1 b fP 5Wt connected in 8 the circuits to the up" solenoids of valves 83,83 andin the circuits to the downjsolenoids of valves 83, 83'.

Limit switch 95 is normally resiliently held in position to closethe/circuits to the. down solenoids of valves 83, 83' and to open thecircuits to the up? solenoids of the two valves.

Limit switch .96 is a double pole switch connected in the circuits tothe up solenoids of valves 83, 83'. Limit switch 96 is normallyresiliently held in position to close the circuit to the up solenoid ofvalve 83 and open the circuit to the up solenoid of valve 83'.

Limit switch 97tis a single pole switch normally held in closed positionby resilient means and is connected in the circuit to the up solenoid ofvalve 83'.

7 As shown inFig. 18, the circuit for operating the p solenoid of valve83 may be traced from the supply line S through;wire 106 to theupsolenoid,'and from the up solenoid through wire 107 to contact 108of'double pole switch 196, from contact 109 of switch 96 through wire110 to contact 111 of double pole switch 95, from contact 112 of switch95 through wire 113 to single pole switch 94, and from switch 94 throughwire 114 back to supply line S.

The circuit for operating the down solenoid of valve 83 may be tracedfrom the supply line S through wire 115 to the/down solenoid and fromthe down solenoid through wire 116 to contact117 of double pole switch95 and'from' contact 118 of switch 95 through wire 119 back to supplyline S.

The circuit for operating the up solenoid of valve 83' may be tractedfrom supply line S through wire 120 to a the up solenoid and from the upsolenoid through wire 121 to single pole switch 97 and from switch 97through wire 122 to contact 123 of double pole switch 96, from contact124 of switch 96 through jumper connection 125 to contact 109 of switch96, from contact 109 of switch 96through wire 110 to contact 111 ofdouble pole switch 95, from contact 112 of switch through wire 113 tosingle pole switch 94 and from switch 94'through wire 114 back to supplyline S.

The circuit for operating the down,solenoid of valve 83 may be tracedfrom the supply line S through'wire 126 to the down solenoid and fromthe down solenoid through wires 127 and 116 tocontact 117 of double poleswitch 95, from contact 118 of switch 95 through wire 119 back'to supplyline S. r

The manner in which the limit switches at each unloading station areoperated to cause all ties of one predetermined length group to bekicked oft on one side of the conveyor onto ramp 84, all ties of anotherpredetermined length group to be kicked oif on the other side of theconveyor onto ramp 84'. and permit all ties having a length greater thanthe ties belonging to the two predetermined length groups to bekicked-off, to pass through the loading station to the next succeedingloading station is believed apparent. For example, if it is to beassumed that at the unloading station all ties 9 in length are to bekicked ofi ontoramp 84, all ties 9'6" in length are to be kicked oft"onto ramp 84', and all ties over 9'6" in length are to be permitted topass through the loading station, then limit switch 96 and its actuatorwould be positioned at such a distance from limit switch 94 and its.actuator as to permit a tie 9 in length, as it travels down theconveyor, to moveout of engagement with actuator 102 of limit switch 94before it engaged actuator 104- of limit switch 96, and limit switch 97and its actuator 'would be positioned at'such a distance from limitswitch 94 and its actuator 102 a s to permit a tie 9'6" in length as ittravels down the conveyor-to move out of engagement with actuator 102 oflimit switch 94 before it engagedactuator 105 of limit switch 97. Thus,as a tie moves along the conveyor into the unloading station it wouldfirst engage actuator 1020f limit switch 94 and, by depressing ;theactuator, open the nor ma y res ent y. he dclosed. w c n t the p u dengage actuator 103 and by depressing the actuator move the double poleswitch 95 from its normally resilient maintained position, to theposition in which it opens the circuits to the "down solenoids of valves83, 83' and closes the circuits to the up solenoids of the two valves;then, if the tie is 9' in length it will move out of engagement withactuator 102 of switch 94 before it engages actuator 104 of switch 96and switch 94 will be resiliently closed, thus completing the closing ofthe circuit to the up solenoid of valve 83, thereby causing kick-offdevice 81 to operate to kick the tie off the conveyor onto ramp 84; ifthe tie is 9'6" in length it will have engaged and depressed actuator104 of switch 96 before it has moved out of engagement with actuator 102of switch 94 and, by depressing actuator 104 move the double pole switch96 from its normally resiliently maintained position in which it closedthe circuit to the "up solenoid of'valve 83 and opens the circuit to upsolenoid of valve 83 to a position in which the circuit to the upsolenoid of valve 83 is opened and the circuit to "up solenoid of valve83 is closed; then, as the 9'6" tie moves along the conveyor it willmove out of engagement with actuator 102 of switch 94 before it engagesactuator 105 of switch 97 and switch 94 will be resiliently closed, thuscompleting the closing of the circuit to the "up solenoid of valve 83,thereby causing kick-off device 81' to operate to kick the tie ofi theconveyor onto the ramp 84'; if the tie is over 9'6" in length it willhave engaged and depressed actuator 105 of switch 97 before it has movedout of engagement with actuator 102 of switch 94, and, by depressingactuator 105, open the normally resiliently held closed switch 97,thereby opening the circuit to the up solenoid of valve 83' and the tiewill pass on through the unloading station to the next unloading stationon the sorting conveyor where ties 10' in length will be kicked off ontothe ramp 84 thereof, ties 10'6" in length will be kicked off onto theramp 84 thereof, and ties over 10'6" in length will pass through thestation with each successive unloading station kicking 011 two greaterlength groups of ties in a similar manner.

As the trimmed switch ties range in length from 9' up to 26', with eachlength group increasing in increments of 6" from the next lesser lengthgroup, it is sometimes desirable to arrange the limit switches so thatthe longest length ties will be kicked ofi first, as shown in Fig. 1.

The arrangement and location of limit switches and their actuators foraccomplishing this at a loading station is schematically illustrated inFig. 19. As there shown, three limit switches 128, 129 and 130 aremounted on the conveyor below the bottom level of the rollers thereofand in a predetermined longitudinally spaced relation. The limitswitches 128, 129 and 130 are similar in construction to the limitswitches shown in Fig. 18 and each has an upstanding operating armpositioned to be engaged and depressed by actuators 131, 132 and 133,respectively, which are similar in construction, operation and mountingas are the actuators at the other unloading stations.

Limit switch 130 and its actuator 133 are positioned adjacent the exitend of the station, limit switch 129 and its actuator 132 are positionedadjacent the entrance end of the station and at a predetermined distancefrom actuator 133, and limit switch 128 and its actuator 131 arepositioned adjacent the entrance end of the station and at apredetermined distance upstream with respect to the direction of travelof the ties on the conveyor from actuator 132.

Limit switch 128 is a double pole switch connected in the circuits tothe "up solenoids of valves 83, 83' of the station; limit switch 129 isa single pole switch connected in the circuits to the up solenoids ofvalves 83, 83' and limit switch 130 is a double pole switch connected inthe circuits to the "up" and' down solenoids ofvalves=83,

As shownin Fig. 19, the circuit for operating the up solenoid of valve83 may be traced from the volt supply line S through wire 134 to the "upsolenoid and from the up solenoid through wire 135 to contact 136 ofdouble pole switch 128, from contact 137 of switch 128 through jumperwire 138 to contact 139 of the switch and from contact 139 of the switchthrough wire 140 to single pole limit switch 129, from switch 129through wire 141 to contact 142 of double pole limit switch 130, fromcontact 143 of switch 130 through wire 144 back to supply lineS.

The circuit for operating the down solenoid of valve 83 may be tracedfrom the supply line S through wire 145 to the "down solenoid and fromthe down sole- .noid through wire 146 to contact 147 of double polelimit switch 130, from contact 143 of switch 130 through wire 144 backto supply line S.

The circuit for operating the down solenoid of valve 83' may be tracedfrom the supply line S through wire 153 to the "down solenoid and fromthe "down solenoid through wires 154 and 146 to contact 147 of doublepole limit :switch 130, and from contact 148 of switch 130 through wire149 back to supply line S.

The manner in which the limit switches 128, 129 and 130 are operated tocause all ties of a predetermined length to be kicked off on one side ofthe conveyor onto ramp 84, all ties of a length greater than the tieskicked ofi onto ramp 84 to be kicked off onto ramp 84' and permit allties of a length less than said predetermined length to pass through theloading station to the next succeeding loading station is believedapparent. For example, if it is to be assumed that all ties 17' inlength are to be kicked ofi onto ramp 84, all ties 17'6" in length orlonger are to be kicked off onto ramp 84' and all ties 16'6" in lengthor shorter are to be permitted to pass through the loading station tothe next succeeding loading station, then limit switch 128 and itsactuator 131 would be positioned at such a distance from limit switch130 and its actuator 133 as to permit a tie 17' in length, as it travelsdown the conveyor, to move out of engagement With actuator 131 of switch128 before it engaged actuator 133 of limit switch 130; and limit switch129 and its actuator 132 would be positioned at such a distance fromlimit switch 130 and its actuator as to permit all ties less than 17',as they travel down the conveyor, to move out of engagement withactuator 132 of limit switch 129 before they engage actuator 133 oflimit switch 130. Thus, as a tie moves along the conveyor into theloading station it would first engage actuator 131 of limit switch 128and, by depressing the actuator, move the double pole switch 128 fromits normally resiliently maintained position in which it closed thecircuit to the up solenoid of valve 83 and opened the circuit to the upsolenoid of valve 83' to a position in which the switch opened thecircuit to the "up solenoid of valve 83 and closed the circuit to the upsolenoid of valve 83', next the tie would depress the actuator 132closing the normally resiliently held open single pole switch 129 in thecircuits to the up solenoids of valves 83 and 83, then, if the tie is17' in length it will move out of engagement with actuator 131 of switch128 before it engages actuator 133 of switch 130 and switch 128 will beresiliently moved into its normal position, closing the circuit to theup" solenoid of valve 83 and 11 opening t e circuitfto fupisolenoicl ofvalve 831ai1d thereby causing kick-off device 81 to operate to kick bfilength it will move outof engagement with actuator 132 ,of single polelimit switch 129 before it engages actuator 133 of limit switch 130,thereby permitting switch 129 to return ,to its normally,resiliently-maintained open position, opening the circuits .to the fupsolenoidsof valves 83 and 83' so'that the tie may. pass through the,unloading station to the next unloading station; it the tie is over;l7'in length it will, after having depressed actuators 131 and; 132oftlimittswitches 128 and 129, respectively, move into engagement withactuator 133 of double pole'limit switch130. and, by depressing theactuator, move the double pole switch 130 from its normally resilientlymaintained position, .in which it closed the circuitsto the up solenoidsof both valves to a position in which it opens the circuits'to the, downsolenoids of valves 83 and 83 and completes the closing of the circuitto the up solenoid ofvalve. 83', thereby. causing kickoif device 81'tooperate to kick-off the tie onto the ramp 84'. f', l

Obviously, unloading stations operatedas immediately above described,can be used for any number ofstations where it is preferred to separatethe longest lengths first; also, the twojsystems ofseparating longestfirst or shortest first may be combined to separate certain of thelongest length or shortest length in any desired sequence, so long asthe separation begins with the longest or shortest lengths andprogresses to the next longest or shortest lengths.

The delivery conveyor for delivering the green switch ties, one at atime, ontothe marking conveyor 10, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3,comprises a laterally spaced parallel pairof inclined track assemblages,indicated generally at 155, 155', forming a ramp leading up to themarking conveyor 10.

The track assemblages 155, 155' are identical in construction and eachis shown as comprising a laterally spaced pair of structural beams 156,156', rigidly secured together by suitable brace members and havingtheir upper and lower ends supported by suitable framework, indicatedgenerally at 157; sprocket wheels 158, 158' positioned between, thestructural beams 155, 155 at their upper and lower end portions,respectively, and fixedly mounted on the end portions of upper and lowerhorizontal shafts 159, 159' extending between the track assemblages andhaving their ends journaled in the beam members 156, 156; a sprocketchain 160 extending over the sprocket wheels 158, 158' and carryinglaterally spaced lugs 161 each provided with an upstanding stop member162 adapted to engage a tie and move it sidewise up the trackassemblage; a pair of guide and support members 163, 163',' in the formof angle irons, mounted on the tops of the flanges'of the beam members156, 156; respectively, to form a guiding channel for the lugs161'carried by the upper reach of the sprocket chain and with theirupper surfaces providing a flat support surface upon which one endportionof the tie rests as it is pulled up the ramp. The sprocket chainsare driven by a motor 164 connected by a sprocket chain 165 to drive theupper sprocket carrying shaft 159. V a I A pair of guiding andsupporting members 166, 166'. are mounted on the upper ends of the trackassemblages 155 155', respectively, to furnish support and guiding meansfor the ties as they tumble off the ramp onto the marking conveyor, anda plurality of upstanding laterally spaced rigid stop members 167 aremounted on the outer beam 17 of the marking conveyor opposite thedelivery conveyor to prevent any'ties. from falling oi the markingconveyor as they are delivered thereon from the delivery conveyor. V v aI The delivery conveyor is designed to deliver the green ,tt i h. ies; pe; t a t me, nt the ma gv conveyor so that'ithei ties; as theyrarereceivedon the marking conveyor, ,will belongitudinally'spaced from eachother.

" The-operation of'the delivery conveyor 16 isautomaticallyicontrolledto accomplish this purpose by means of threelimit switches 168, 169 and 170 connected in the electric circuit tothestarter S of the motor 164'which drives the delivery conveyor.

The limit switches 168 and 169, schematically shown in Fig. l5, may beof anysuitable usual type and are mounted on the-marking conveyor belowthettop level of the conveyor rollers and with, their respectiveupstanding operating arms. positioned to be engaged by actuators 171'and172,-respectively. The actuators 171, 172 are similar in construction tothe actuator. 64 which operates limit switch 61" employed to control theoperation of-the marking device, and are mounted on the conveyor ina'generally. similar manner; .Actuator 171 its positioned opposite thedelivery conveyor so that it will be engaged and operated by each tie.as it is delivered from the deliveryconveyoronto'the marking conveyor.Actuator :172 is positioned down stream,:with reference to the normaldirectionoftravel of the tieson the'mark- 'ing conveyor, a predetermineddistance from, actuator 171 so-that it willbe engaged by each tie as itmoves along the conveyor before the tie moves out of engagementwithactuator'171. :T I t .Limit switch 170, whichmay be of any usualsuitable double pole type, is mounted on the upper endportion of track,assembly of the delivery conveyor m a position so that the switchactuator 173, which operates the operating arm 174, will be engaged andoperated by each tie as it moves up the delivery. conveyor just beforethe tie is in position to fall from the delivery conveyor onto themarking conveyor.

The electrical circuits which permit the stopping and starting of themotor 1641b the limit switches 168, 169 and 170, are diagrammaticallyillustrated in Fig. 15. As there shown, the motor starter S iscontrolled by two separate circuits, circuit-one in which limit switches168, 169 and are connected .in series, and circuit two In which onlylimit switch 170 is connected;

Limit switches168 and 169Iare' single pole switches normally resilientlyheldtin position to close circuit one; however, each switch will beopened whenever its actuator is depressed by a tieresting thereon. I 7

Limit switch 170' is 'a double pole switch normally resilientlymaintained in a position to close circuit two and open circuit one, butoperable each time its operating arm, is engage'd'by. a tie passingupthedelivery conveyor .to open'circuit twoand close circuit o'ne'untiltheitiehas passed out of engagement withthe operating arm, when theswitch'will be'resiliently operated to resume its normal positionclosing circuit twoand opening circuit one. Circuit one may be tracedfrom the starter S through wire 175 to coiitactjl76 of double polelimit'switch 170 andfrom contact 177 of switch170 through wire'178 to.singlejpole limit switch 168, from switch 168 through Wire 179 tosingle pole limit switch 169,:and from switch 169 through 'wire 180 backto starter'S.'": 1 i

Circuit two may be traced from the starter-Sthrough wire'175 to contact176 of-double pole limit swit'ch170, from contact176 through jumper wire181- to contact 182 of the switch, and fromeontact'183'of theswitchthrough wires 184 and 180 back vto starter S.- e

with a tie on the marking conveyor. When this happens, the motor isstopped until the tie on the marking conveyor has been moved out ofengagement with the actuators 171, 172; then, as circuit one iscompletely closed to the starter S, the motor starts up again. Theforegoing action insures that no tie will be piled on top of another onthe marking conveyor and that the ties thereon will be longitudinallyspaced from each other.

From all of the foregoing, it is believed that the operation of theentire system is apparent.

The movements of the marking and trimming conveyors are so controlled bythe saw operator as to successively bring each tie deposited on themarking conveyor by the delivery conveyor in position to have itsforward end trimmed. When the saw operator swings the saw forwardly totrim the forward end of the tie, the marking device is automaticallyoperated to mark the after end thereof, then the operator controls themovement of the tie to bring it in position to trim its after end at themark made thereon by the marking device, which is furthermost from thefront end of the tie. After the tie has had both ends trimmed, it ispassed onto the sorting conveyor and travels therealong until it isautomatically kicked off at an unloading station, such action beingdetermined by the length of the tie.

As the tie passes down the sorting conveyor it automatically operatesthe register showing the total number of ties trimmed and, as it slidesdown the ramp at the unloading station at which it is kicked off itautomatically operates the register showing the number of ties kickedofi at that particular station.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that there has been provided novelapparatus for trimming green switch ties to required lengths and thenautomatically sorting the trimmed ties into length groups; apparatus inwhich each green tie is automatically loaded onto a conveyor andconveyed past a marking device which marks the tie, then past a trimmingdevice Where both ends of the tie are trimmed, with the trimming deviceautomatically controlling the operation of the marking device, and thenpassed along a sorting conveyor having a series of unloading stationswhere each tie is ejected from the conveyor automatically, the ejectingoperation being controlled by the particular length of the tie, so thatall trimmed ties of the same length group are ejected at the sameunloading station.

While the apparatus of the invention has been described as employed fortrimming green switch ties to required lengths and automatically sortingthe trimmed ties into length groups, obviously, the apparatus may beemployed to trim and assort dry switch ties as well as various othertypes of lumber.

Obviously, the invention is not restricted to the particular embodimentsthereof herein shown and described.

What is claimed is:

l. A system for handling switch ties for trimming the ties toautomatically obtain the longest desired length from each tie so thatthe trimmed ties may be sorted into predeterminated length groupscomprising in combination an elongated power driven marking conveyor forconveying the ties to be trimmed endwise thereon and having a receivingstation formed on its receiving end to receive, one by one, the ties tobe trimmed; marking means mounted adjacent the delivery end of saidmarking conveyor; an elongated power driven trimming conveyor having itsreceiving end positioned adjacent to and in longitudinal alignment withthe delivery end of said marking conveyor for receiving the tiestherefrom; means for trimming the ends of the ties mounted adjacent thereceiving end of said trimming conveyor, said means including a sawmovable in a path extending transversely of said trimming conveyor andof the tie to be trimmed thereon, said marking means having a pluralityof marking devices normally extending in a direction transversely ofsaid marking conveyor and simultaneously movable to and 14 from aposition in which they engage and mark a tie, with each of said markingdevices being spaced a predetermined distance from the transverse pathof said saw; and electrical means actuated and controlled by theoperation of said saw for operating said marking devices simultaneously,when the forward end of a tie is being trimmed.

2. A system for handling switch ties for trimming the ties topredetermined required lengths so that the trimmed ties may be sortedinto length groups with all ties in each group being of substantiallythe same length, comprising in combination, an elongated power drivenmarking conveyor for conveying the ties to be processed endwise thereon;means including a power driven inclined delivery conveyor forsuccessively delivering the ties to be trimmed onto the receiving end ofsaid marking conveyor so that each tie delivered will be longitudinallyspaced on the marking conveyor from the preceding tie delivered thereon;an elongated power driven trimming conveyor having its receiving endpositioned adjacent and in longitudinal alignment with the delivery endof said marking conveyor for receiving the ties therefrom in endwiseposition; trimming means mounted adjacent the receiving end of saidtrimming conveyor for trimming the ends of the ties including a powerdriven circular saw pivotally mounted for swinging movement along a pathextending transversely of said trimming conveyor; power operated markingmeans mounted adjacent the delivery end of said marking conveyorincluding an elongated rotatable shaft extending parallel to the markingconveyor and having a plurality of axially spaced laterally extendingmarking devices mounted thereon with each marking device beingpositioned a predetermined distance from the transverse path followed bysaid saw when trimming the end of a tie, said shaft being rotatable froman inoperative position where all the marking devices are held out ofengagement with a tie position on said marking conveyor below saidmarking device to an operative position where the marking devices arebrought into engagement with the upper surface of a tie positionedbeneath said marking device; and electrical control means forcontrolling the operation of said marking means including a double polelimit switch positioned to be operated by the swinging movement of saidsaw whereby the marking means will be actuated to mark the after end ofa tie when its forward end is trimmed.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said means forsuccessively delivering the ties to be trimmed onto the receiving end ofsaid marking conveyor includes a motor having a starter connectedthereto for operating said delivery conveyor and control means forcontrolling the operation of said motor including a pair of normallyclosed limit switches connected in a first circuit to said starter, apair of actuators mounted in longitudinally spaced relation on saidmarking conveyor, each connected to operate one of said limit switcheswhenever a tie is engaged thereby to open said circuit, a second circuitconnected to said starter, a double pole limit switch connected in saidfirst and said second circuits, resilient means normally maintainingsaid double pole limit switch in position to open said first circuit andclose said second circuit, and an actuator connected to said double polelimit switch and positioned to be engaged by each tie as it reaches thetop of said delivery conveyor and moved to a position to close saidfirst circuit and open said second circuit, the construction andarrangement being such that when either one or both of said pair ofnormally closed limit switches are opened by a tie on said markingconveyor engaging their actuators said delivery conveyor will continueto operate until a tie reaches the top thereof and actuates said doublepole limit switch to open said second circuit and close said firstcircuit, thereby stopping the conveyor until said two normally closedlimit switches are again closed by the tie which opened them moving outof engagement with their actuators.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said 7 pole limit switchis connected in both circuits to said solenoids; a single pole normallyresiliently held open limit switch mounted on said trimming conveyor andconnected in series with said double pole limit switch in the circuit tothe one of said pair of solenoids which operates when energized to causethe marking device to be moved from its normally inoperative position toits operating position; and an actuator for closing said normally openedsingle pole limit switch, mounted on said trimming conveyor adjacentsaid saw in position to be engaged and operated by a tie on saidtrimming conveyor. V 5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein saidtrim ming means includes a support frame mounted adjacent the receivingend of said trimming conveyor; 21 depending carriage having its upperend swingably mounted on said Z16 support'frame and having-a rotatableshaft journaled in its lower end on which'said circular saw is mounted;and

wherein said double pole limit switch is mounted on said supportframe'and carries an actuator positioned to be engaged by said swingablecarriage when said saw is swung forwardly to trimthe end of a 'tie.

References Cited in thefile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,610,623 Shipley Dec. 14, 1926 1,706,632 Onstad Mar. 26, 1929 1,853,773McDonough Apr. 12,1932 2,440,994- Wilde May 4, 1948 2,574,974 JohnsonNov. 13,1951 2,616,449 Maha Nov; 4, 1952 2,636,601 Bovay et al Apr.28,1953 2,729,248 King Jan. 3, 1956 2,778,474 De Koning Janf22, 19572,835,385 Eckart May 20,1958 2,876,815

Rogers Mar. 10, 1959

